With Jon Kitna and Troy Smith set to become the latest backup quarterbacks to make their season debuts in a starting role on Sunday, USA TODAY's Nate Davis assesses the backup quarterback situations around the NFL and ranks them 1-32.

Sam Bradford will have to wait a few days to learn if he'll start the St. Louis Rams' opener. The No. 1 pick certainly has appeared ready for the job. Bradford's opening drive set the tone for a 27-21 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, giving the Rams a 3-1 preseason finish for the second straight season. He was 6 for 6 for 68 yards and a touchdown in his one series. That followed a two-TD effort in his first start last week.

One perfect series and done for Sam Bradford. No doubt, facing the Baltimore Ravens' second-string defense made it easier for the No. 1 pick. Bradford made another favorable impression in his second preseason start, going 6 for 6 for 68 yards and a touchdown to open the St. Louis Rams' 27-21 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night. A.J. Feeley's thumb injury gave Bradford his starting shot last week, and the rookie may have done enough to get the nod in the opener Sept. 12 against the Cardinals.

When? That question is asked daily by St. Louis Rams fans. After a 6-42 record the last three years that included an NFL-worst 1-15 mark last season, when will the Rams be ready to turn the corner and become a competitive team again, if not a contender.

The quality that most impresses St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo about quarterback Sam Bradford, beyond the strong arm and uncanny accuracy that helped make him the top pick in the NFL draft, is his willingness to listen.

The St. Louis Rams are optimistic they'll sign No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford soon, perhaps by Thursday when quarterbacks and rookies are due for their first training camp workout. Whenever Bradford arrives, he won't be throwing to Terrell Owens. The Rams are thin at wide receiver, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said the team has decided against signing Owens.